Mf'n truck won't start.

[BallzDeep]

When I turn the key it clicks about three times and that's it, alternator or starter? It's an older truck and I don't want to spend too much more on it, what's the approximate cost to fix either one?

 

[Cycleguy007]

When I turn the key it clicks about three times and that's it, alternator or starter? It's an older truck and I don't want to spend too much more on it, what's the approximate cost to fix either one?

Battery's dead...

Happened to my wife's car a couple weeks ago. It won't hold a charge anymore...

 

[The Mechanic]

When I turn the key it clicks about three times and that's it, alternator or starter? It's an older truck and I don't want to spend too much more on it, what's the approximate cost to fix either one?

Try looking at the battery if you got nothing there it ain't going to turn over once you get it running you should have about 14 volts running if not it's the alt your battery should have about 13 volt when you start it drops down to around 10-11 volt= ok

 

[centreofmass]

Neither. The clicking sound is the noise made by the starter relay. It means that your battery is stone dead! Get someone to give you a boost to start the truck. Once running, if the Charging light comes on, then it means that something is wrong with the charging system, usually the alternator. If the charging light does NOT come on when the engine is running, then charging system is ok, so the culprit is usually a bad battery that does not charge and/or does not hold the charge. In this case you need a new battery. But of course, it could be that the battery is good, but you left your lights on and you drained it completely. So boost the truck, and take a ride at highway speeds for at least 30min to charge the battery, or if you have a battery charger use it to charge your battery overnight. If you can start the engine after the battery is charged, then the battery is good and you just drained it. Hope this helps. Good luck.

 

[jwmorrice]

Mf'n truck won't start.

Does this mean another parking ticket?

jwm

 

[WoodPeckr]

When I turn the key it clicks about three times and that's it, alternator or starter? It's an older truck and I don't want to spend too much more on it, what's the approximate cost to fix either one?

How old's the truck and battery?
Could be the battery, starter relay, or could be simply a bad ground wire connection.
We need a little more info....

 

[BallzDeep]

Does this mean another parking ticket?

jwm

Luckily it was in my driveway, had a rad seal replaced a few days ago and they forgot to put the ground lug back on the frame. Called CAA and he noticed it, I was just looking at the connections on the battery, cost me a call on my CAA account, only got one left till Sept.

Guess the alternator wasn't charging the battery without the ground on so the battery slowly died. Somewhat relieved because I didn't want to spend another 3-400 bones. Since I had already planned on spending it, I might as well make an incall appt.

 

[WoodPeckr]

Yep, a bad ground wire connection will do that.

 

[papasmerf]

when is the last time you changed the gerbils in it?

 

[moresex4me]

when is the last time you changed the gerbils in it?

At the incall or are we still talking about the truck?

 

[dj1470]

When I turn the key it clicks about three times and that's it, alternator or starter? It's an older truck and I don't want to spend too much more on it, what's the approximate cost to fix either one?

dead battery
get a jump then get a new battery.
forget a new alternator/starter - go to a wrecker and they'll find you a working one in their yard for a tenth of the cost of a new one